I have always loved scarves. Even when it was not particularly fashionable to love them, and I was a young career girl, I loved them. Maybe it's my European heritage, but scarves just seem to add class and elegance to an outfit, be they slung casually around the shoulders, swathed around the neck and fastened with a knot or a scarf ring, or knotted to the handles of a bag.
Of course, if you love scarves, then you have to love the ultimate scarf, the Hermes. Oh, how I wish my budget allowed me to indulge in more than one of these gorgeous things every once in a while.
This one at the top of my post, is one of my Hermes-like purchases. Once you get to know which Hermes designs you like, and which colourways, you can scout for similar ones in department stores and thrift stores. The real deal would have set me back over $400. My lookalike, was just $7.50.
Real (and real expensive) Hermes above...
...copycat and inexpensive, below...
..worn here with a nautical striped Summer shift, Hermes-a-like scarf ring (more on that in a moment), and (real) Baroque pearl earrings...
This shift without the scarf, just looks blah. Frumpy and dowdy. However the scarf alters the very ordinary high and round neckline, giving the illusion of a more flattering V, the light colour brings attention to the face, especially paired with the pearl earrings, and the long tails give a long and lean look, that negates the widening effect of the nautical stripe. Worn with the scarf, pearl earrings, and some wedge heels, it's a nice look for shopping locally.
This scarf below was my first Hermes. I studied hard, so I knew what to look for in a genuine Hermes scarf, because gosh, there's some charlatans out there.
A few tips if you want to invest in an Hermes scarf for yourself...
Hermes of course swear that the ONLY way to be certain you're buying a genuine Hermes, is to buy from them. That's okay if you can afford it. I cannot, or at least I cannot afford Hermes and all of the other pretty things I love...hehehe! I guess one day I might be able to prioritise a collection of Hermes scarves above all else.
My four Hermes purchases have all been online, and I've been successful in securing some gorgeous scarves for about one third of their retail value. This might be due to the colourway not being currently popular, or the design not appealing for whatever reason. Fortunately for me, I have eclectic tastes so I know when I am onto a winner.
Hermes scarves have a hand rolled and hand stitched edge, folding towards the front.
Hermes scarves have a care label that says Made in Paris.
Hermes scarves always have an accent over the second e. So not HERMES printed like that. It's always with that little tick over the e between M and S.
It will always have a ©Hermes symbol on it, and will not say Hermes-Paris.
They will usually (post 1980s apparently) carry the artists signature somewhere in the design.
This one is titled Pierres d'Orient et d'Occident.
I love this one. It's so versatile and goes with just about any other colour in my wardrobe. I love the ornate nature of the design, and it's tigers eye looking border. Quite often the border is what stands out due to the way you fold them, so make sure the borders of your scarves are eye catching, Hermes or not.
The next one I purchased was this one called Farandole Butterflies. I love the buttery main colour and the pretty pastel details in this one. A gorgeous scarf for Spring.
Having admired the look of this gorgeous (Hermes) scarf and tassel pendant combo, I was then inspired to go searching for other luxury versions of The Designer Scarf.
I found Emma Shipley, who if you want my humble opinion, gives Hermes a run for their money...
This Beauty and the Beast version by Emma Shipley will set you back $270AUD. But don't you just LOVE it?
Somehow, the $19.99 version just doesn't stack up.
I guess if Beauty and the Beast is your thing, not luxury scarves, the $19.99 model might suit you perfectly! It's available here.
Here's another by Emma Shipley titled Sirens...swoon...$459AUD though...swooning is all I'll be doing, folks. But as art...wowsers...
Looking at those two though, I start to see a commonality emerging. I'm liking the graphic feel, the dark outlines, filled with a minimum of colour in these designs. It's almost a hand tinted Sepia look, isn't it? So now I know what to keep an eye out for in Scarf Buying Land, be it online, retail or thrifting. That's a good strategy.
Grace Kelly, after whom Hermes named a bag, for goodness sakes, was a scarf wearing Diva...
She even used an Hermes as a sling for her injured arm...
You can also wear them like this...almost like a cowl necked shirt...cheaper than buying lots of different shirts, and far more versatile. And you don't get too fat for scarves...hahahaha!
I like this idea too. How sweet..and you'd only need a $10 cami for this look.
I made this one from a remnant for under $10. I pair it with a vintage cocktail ring purchased for $6. You don't have to spend hundreds to have lovely scarves...
Recently enamoured with the idea of scarf rings, I found this Chanel look-a-like languishing at the bottom of a bowl of junk at my local thrift store...
The real deal looks like this one below...close enough for me, thankyou...
This gold one is a genuine Hermes scarf ring...
I found a more fun one that had similar etchings for $3 in the same bowl..
It looks like this with my genuine Hermes scarf. I know. The irony.
I loved this Hermes scarf ring with chevron like enamel...but not the price. A few hundred more dollars friends. I do not think so.
Instead I invested a further $3 (yes from the same bowl of tackiness), for this one here...
I think it's close enough for this suburban Mama...
Here's that Hermes with the vintage cocktail ring and olive green linen dress...
